9.4 |
June 2005 to May 2006
Committee
that the legal framework for MNF operations in Iraq expired at the
end of
2005. As a
result:
“We need
the ITG to state publicly its requirement for a continued MNF-I
presence.
This will
be politically sensitive. We therefore need to distance the roll
over from the
electoral
campaign. We have agreed with the US to present a short resolution
…
to the UNSC
[United Nations Security Council] soon after the referendum
for
adoption by
the end of October. From lobbying of partners and UNSC
members
this looks
achievable.”
339.
Dr Reid
reported in his paper that “the general
level of activity among the
insurgency
remains broadly unchanged across Iraq”.152
Although
there had been an
increase in
the number of lethal attacks on the MNF within MND(SE), the
situation
remained
calm in comparison to other parts of Iraq:
“The
position, however, is fragile with the militias able to promote
unrest when they
choose.”
340.
Dr Reid judged
that “successful
Iraqiisation remains the key”. Progress with the
Iraqi
Security Forces was satisfactory, progress with the Iraqi Police
Service less so.
Dr Reid
proposed that the UK should review its strategy on policing. If
responsibility
should fall
to the MOD, then “it is imperative that the resource issue is
resolved
unequivocally”.
341.
Dr Reid’s
paper also commented on the Red Team Report:
“Whilst the
report is accurate in its analysis, it defines a strategic approach
that could
only have
been successful if it had been adopted at the outset of military
operations;
it is not
consistent with either existing MNF strategy, or the scale of
economic and
military
investment.
“It seems
likely, however, that some elements of the plan (e.g. boosting
Ministry
capacity
and greater co-ordination of military and non-military activity)
will be
followed up
rather than the Red Team Report being adopted wholesale.
We
will
need to
work with the US on incorporating these elements into an
authoritative
plan which can
be agreed with the Iraqi government.”
342.
Dr Reid
promised a plan for enhanced engagement with the US by MOD
Ministers,
the
military and senior officials. He also committed to:
“Institute
regular (weekly or fortnightly) ad hoc ministerial meetings in MOD
to
oversee
Iraq security issues to which other government departments will be
invited.”
152
Paper Reid,
11 October 2005, ‘Iraq: Security Update’.
545